A friend has stepped up to FX and is offering me a D300 (15000 actuations) with a Nikkor AF-S 70-300 mm F4.5-5.6 VR and a Nikkor AF-S DX 12-24 mm F4.0G. He's also including a couple of filters and a 2 gb CF card. Price is $1200 CDN and he'll pay the shipping. This will be my first DSLR. Is this a good first step into the DSLR world? I've looked at the D7000 and D5100 and like some things about both. Video is not important to me. I do have limited exposure to film SLR cameras but so long ago that I may as well be classed as a beginner. I have been reading Understanding Exposure and have no problem understanding the concepts in the book. Putting them into practice will be something else of course. I also plan on taking some weekend courses to better familiarize myself with the cameral

So my questions are:

1. Do I opt for 4 year old technology or give up on a "pro" body and buy the latest technology?
2. I know MP aren't everything but IQ is. Is the D7000 or D5100 still a smarter purchase in 2012?
3. Assuming I buy the D300, what suggestions for lenses to fill the gap between the two listed above?

I don't know what I want to shoot for sure although night time photography and macro work are two thing that I find appealing. Also sports photography.

I have searched the archives but most posts regarding the D300 are more than 2 years old. Any suggestions based on the current market place and technology available would be appreciated. The fact that I can get a decent DSLR and 2 lenses for pretty much the price of a D7000 body is attractive to me. Or am I buying a pig in a poke?

BTW this is obviously my first post. If I've posted in the wrong forum, could the mods move to the correct one?

Hi, welcome... hope this is a real good friend. The price looks like a steal. If you are certain the condition is good, if would appear you are getting a lot for the money. But, see what others are saying about the comparison with one of the new bodies. I prefer the features of the D300, D300s body over any of the new cameras other than the D800, D4. And, am waiting for the D400.

And, I could not find a comparison of the D300 and any of the new bodies, so I guess you are in the correct place... unless another mod decides differently...

I'd say go for the D300. Last summer I also bought my first DSLR - the D90. I loved it from day one and recently added the 35mm f/1.8 which is a great little lens (I got the D90 with it's kit 18-105mm lens which is excellent as well). At first I was also worried about getting old tech but now I realise I've made the right choice. After all, what matters is how you use your camera, not what your camera is.
As for your lens question - it could be a zoom like the kit 18-105mm or a prime like 35mm / 50mm f/1.8 or even the Micro 40mm f/2.8. Since you mentioned you like macro the latter might be the best option.
Good luck!

For the price...not sure what it translates into US dollars, but it sounds like a deal. If you are starting out the lenses alone are probably worth it. The D300 is a capable camera. Many on here still shoot their D5000/D90/D300/D300S which all have the same or similar sensors.

It is older technology, but for that price it really is a decent deal. Also since there are no real rumors of the D400 or a D7100 who knows how long it will be. Get it and if you decide to upgrade later you really aren't out much because at that price you are barely paying for the body anyway.

Well, it sure isn't "used up." That camera has more than 90% of its life left. I think it depend on what type of photography you plan to do. The only weakness will be shooting fast moving subjects in low light such as indoor sports. If you are buying it for that purpose you will be disappointed. If you are buying it for general all around photograph you won't be disappointed and you will be getting a lot of camera/lens for your Canadian dollar.

I have a beautiful D300, mint in the box, with 3 batteries and two chargers that I plan to put on eBay this week. If interested, I can post pictures. I actually took shots of it tonight for the ad. I'm also selling my Hasselblad C/M 500. Now that I got my D800, I won't be doing medium format anymore.

The D300, is an awesome camera and has enought resolution for just about anything you need. Unless of course, you do a lot of post production like I do.

If that is the price, then you are getting the camera basically for free and a good deal on the lenses.

70-300vr goes for $400, and the Nikon 12-24 goes for $600 (USD-Can is still about 1-1 to usd. New, you would be paying almost 2x as much for the lenses alone. If the D300 doesn't cut it for you, sell it for $500 and get something newer.

I still use my D300 for "paid" work and it does great in almost all situations. At 3200 it shows it's weakness but it is barley behind a D7000.

For gaps search the forum for 18-105, 18-200, 35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 24-120VR (either version). All of these have been discussed at great length.

TaoTeJared and Yoan: Thanks for the specific lens suggestions. I'll search the forums.

tcole1983: Thanks for your suggestion to get the D300 and trade up when D400 or D7100 come out if the 300 isn't everything I need. I hadn't thought of that. As far as price in US dollars, Canadian trades just below the US dollar right now so $1200 CDN is about 1170 US.

Everyone commented about what a great deal this is. Maybe I'll offer to pay for the shipping. :-) The seller has been a friend for 30+ years and is meticulous when it comes to caring for his belongings. I trust the camera is in very good shape and that he would inform me of any issues.

Just to add to this, I just replaced my D300 with a D800, but not because of any issues with the 300. It has been a great camera that you can grow with. It has tons of versatility, takes great photos and is a pleasure to use. If you are really serious about photography beyond snapshots, this is a perfect camera and with these lenses you are all set. I would get a larger card though like 8 or 16 GB.

It is about $2200+ worth of gear (70-300 = $400, 12-24 = $1000, D300 = $800+, plus extras). Both lenses are great ones. Good luck!

As I said the lenses are worth it alone so if you sell the body later if you don't like it then you are actually making money off of it. It will be a great first dSLR though...I am always impressed with the pics from the D5000 and they have similar IQ.

I own the D300 and the lens your friend has offered you. Despite the fact that we own lots of other lens and newer Nikon DSLRs there is NO WAY I WOULD SELL THE SAME GEAR at that price. In fact I would NOT sell it at all. So is it a good deal? Absolutely. I did SELL my D700 as it was getting used less that a D200 even. FX is not where I and my son and grandson want to be. We are waiting for a D400 DX and probably will pass on the D800 despite we see Expeed 3 processor advantages, etc.. I am NOT seeking narrow depth of field in video like some who are buying the D800.

Yes go for it! The price is great and the camera will serve you well it takes excellent captures. It will make a fine first DSLR for you. Your lucky as well because those are some great lenses to work with.

The deal is done! I'll be getting everything in 10 days or so. In the mean time I'll be searching forums on the suggested lenses. Also going to the local camera shop for larger memory cards, tripod, whatever else I need.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and encouragement to go through with this deal. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

Congrats! Hope you like it when it comes. I reread your first post and saw you asked about lenses that fill the gap. Depending on what you want to spend there are a few that would work. If you want to spend the money the 24-70 or 17-50 F2.8 lenses are great. If you want to spend less the 18-105 might be good. Or you could just get a prime or two as other suggested like the 35 F1.8 or 50 F1.8. Actually you could get the 40 F2.8 micro and use it for a little macro work also. There should be many topics on here about all these lenses and more.

Surprised no one mentioned the 16-85 nikkor i am thinking of getting one soon :-) .. but the 18-105 is also good value. and that 35 f1.8 is good for low light.. well thats what people say anyway .. I don't have one :-) probably never will.. never liked that focal length :-) Others here swear by it!

Another option you could look at is the 17-50 tamron or sigma or the 17-70 F2.8-4 sigma.

Congrats on your new (to you) D300! I have a D300s and am really enjoying its very solid feel. It is a great camera to learn on as it has a lot of pro features and is very adjustable. As far as lenses go, I really sugest getting a fast prime. The 35 1.8 is the default "normal" but you could get a 50 as well. The only really weak part of the D300 is the high ISO noise. You will like the results much better shooting F2 at ISO 1600 than F2.8 at ISO 3200. And even more at F1.4 at ISO 800. You also might consider getting a "walkaround". Sometimes you may just want to carry the camera only and not a big bag of lenses. I have the 16-85, I bought it for is sharpness, and it serves me well. There may be some deals on that lens coming up as they are probably coming out with a new version in the near future. Again, congrats, and I sure your new rig will serve you just as well!

The D300 is a superb camera! Until my purchase a few days ago of the D800, the D300 was the best camera I've ever had. Touring the USA 3 years ago with my D300, I took 3,800 photos in 3 weeks, with never a problem and terrific results. The only reason I've upgraded to the D800 is because I can, but satisfaction with results from the D300 is practically guaranteed!

Got the D300 as my first DSLR (I'd been borrowing a D200 from college) last September - a fine bit of kit with proper controls and ergonomics - and much better too in terms of sensor performance (though I know recent models have made another jump). Sounds like you got a very good price considering the 12-24 f/4 is one of the more expensive DX lenses :)